Support arm for mirrors



. May 18, 1943 o. c. Rrrz-woLLER SUPPORT ARM" FOR MIRRORS 2 Sheets-Sheet l SQ NH ifm Fued March 25, 194

May 18,1943 o. c. RITZ-woLLER V SUPPORT ARM FOR MIRRORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Marn 23, 1942 .UEE

/|||||I|||\||I|l| IIIIIIIIIIIIII www) Patented May 18, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPORT ARM FOR MIRRORS Oliver C. Ritz-Waller, Chicago, lll. Application March23, 1942, Serial No. 435,775

' 4 Claims.` (Cl. 248-278) The present invention relatesv .to supporting structures for rear vision mirrors of the type adapted for use on vehicles such as trucks, buses and the like. Such supporting `structures are usually mounted in a position on the cab or other convenient part of the vehicle so as to enable the driver to see rearwardly alongside of the vehicle for guidance in safely maneuvering-the vehicle. Desirably, supporting structures of this general class include a supporting arm, one end of which is connected to a mounting for providing universal adjustment in order to dispose the mirror in a proper lateral and vertical plane for best obtaining clear rear vision of the roadway. Such arms preferably have been made in tubular form to obtain maximum strength and rigidity, while maintaining relatively lightweight.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a novel and improved support arm of the character indicated, composed of a plurality of `connected elements which are constructed and arranged for convenience in handling, and in fabrication as well as affording convenience in the efficient application of a suitable protective coating to the entire surface of all or certain of said elements.

Another object is to provide an improved support arm of the character indicated which is composed of a plurality of elements which lend themselves for quick and easy assembly as a unitary device.

A further object of this invention isto provide an improved support arm of generally tubular form, made up of two semi-tubular elements adapted to be disposed in cooperating relation to form a hollow tubular body, and wherein one set of corresponding ends are xedly connected together, and the cooperating edges of the elements are so arranged as to insure adequate resilient compressibility of the opposite end portions of the elements for frictionally embracing, in a telescopic manner, an extension arm associated with the mirror.

Still another object is to provide an improved support arm of thecharacter indicated, which is of simple and sturdy construction and which is capable of economical manufacture.

, Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a rear view mirror and supporting structure, shown attached to a mounting, and embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View. Figures 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views vthrough the supporting arm, taken substantially as indicated at lines 3-3 and 4-4 onFigures 2 and 1, respectively.

Figure 5 is a -plan view of the` two cooperating semi-tubular/ elements comprising the supportf ing arm, shown in relation to each other prior to connecting together.

Figure 6 is a view similar to `Figure 5, but showing the mounting end of the semi-tubular elef ments of the arm permanently connected together.

Figure '7 is a view in side elevation of the complete, assembled arm, with portions broken away to show the manner of connection of the free ends of the semi-tubular elementsof the arm by means of a locking collar.

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view through the arm, taken as indicated at line 8-8 `of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view through the permanent connection of the two semi-tubular Velements of the arm, as Vseen Yin Figure 6.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, as seen in the drawings, the tubular arm, indicated generally at I0, hasone end flattened so as to provide a pair of closely spaced apart, substantially parallel flattened faces I, for pivotally mounting said end of the arm betweena pair of spaced apart'lugs II of a universal mounting bracket. The flattened faces I0 are provided with `aligned apertures I 0b, for registration with correspondingly aligned apertures formed in the lugs I I. The arm is 4pivotally'connected between the lugs II by means of threaded Astud I4, having nuts I5. Interposed between the flattened faces 'IBB and the inner surfaces ofthe lugs II are friction washers IB, and between the nuts I5 and the outer surfaces of lugs II are spring washers Ma, so that when the stud I4 and nuts `I5 are properly tightened, the support arm I0 stantially closed generally tubular body"member I8, mounted between a pair of spaced apart, angle-shaped brackets 20, which brackets are rigidly secured to a mounting', as indicated at 2 I, by means of screws 22. `The body member I8 is pivotally mounted between the outwardly `projecting legs f20a of the brackets 20 by'means of a. threaded stud 2 4 and nuts 25, the former `extending through aligned aperturesfformed in said legs 20B of thebrackets. Suitablewashers, indicated at 26, are interposed between the ends of the body member I8 and the inner faces of legs 2l) vof the brackets, andspring washers 24a are interposed between the outer surfaces of legs 20B and the underside of nuts 2 5, for frictionally `retaining the supporting arm anditsassociated A parts 1n any desired lateral position of adjustment about the vertical pivot axis formed by said connection to the legs 20a. It will now be apparent that the total supporting structure for the arm l l provides for universal adjustment of said arm and its associated parts within a permissible range of pivotal movement of the arm with respect to the lugs Il and the body member I8 with respect to the legs 2liSL of the mounting brackets 20.

Telescopically associated with the outer or free end of the arm ID is a tubular auxiliary arm 30, having its outer end flattened, as indicated at 3| for connection to a stud 32 projecting centrally from the rear surface of the mounting frame 34' of a mirror, indicated at 33. As will hereinafter be described, the auxiliary arm is secured in a desired position of adjustment with respect to the support arm Ii), so that the mirror 34 may be disposed in any convenient position of adjustment so as to insure proper rear vision of the roadway, when the supporting structure is mounted on a vehicle.

The supporting arm Il), which in the main constitutes the essence of this invention, is of generally hollow tubular form, and is composed of two main elements 35 and 36, of substantially identical contour and size, and, as may be seen in the drawings, are of generally semi-tubular cross-section. These elements are formed as sheet metal stampngs, to obtain maximum strength and convenience in assembly, and because of their being apertured at one end, as indicated at Ib, said elements may be conveniently handled by placing the apertured end over ahook or other xture so as to permit conveniently coating the entire surface, interior and exterior, with some suitable material to prevent oxidation. By virtue of this construction, it is possible to conveniently subject the entire element to various types of treatment or plating or nishing. This has not been possible in connection with priorA structures wherein the arm is composed of asingle, one-piece tubular body.

In the Aconstruction illustrated inthe drawings, the cooperating edges of the elements are of novel formation, and it will be noted that the Acooperating edge portions, as indicated at 358L and Y36a adjacent the pivotal end of the arm, are relatively at, and are disposed in an outward, slightly acute angle to the normal plane of the cooperating intermediate edge portions, designated at 35b and 36b of said elements 35 and 3B. The cooperating edge portions, as indicated at 35? and 35, at theV free end of the arm, are also disposed in an outwardly inclined acute angle with respect to the intermediate edge portions 350l and 35h, respectively. s y

While not essentially/so, it is desirable that the pivotal end of the arm be relatively iixed, that is, theI elements 35 and 36 be permanently connected together. In the construction illustrated in the drawings, I have shown a bushing 40 extending through the aligned apertures [0b in the iiattened portions lila of the elements of the arm, and the bushing is providedwith an enlarged central area,ras indicated at 4|, so as to constitute a spacer to Vmaintain the adjacent ends of the elements of the arm in proper spaced apart relation to each other.. The ends lof the bushing 4U are anged outwardly, as indicated at 42, so as to, in eiect, provide a rivet connection between the adjacent ends of said elements of the arm and the bushing 40. If desired, 'a separate bushing may be employed, in the same 4'man- 'ner as above described, and 'the 'spacing of the elements 35 and 36 may be obtained by merely placing on the bushing intermediate the elements 35 and 36 a suitable spacer member or washers may be used for this purpose if desired. It is to be understood, however, that the elements 35 and 36 need not be connected together at their pivot end, other than mounting on the bolt I4, between the lugs Il, but for convenience in handling and assembly, it is preferred that said elements be permanently connected so that the arm Il) may be handled as a unitary element.

When the pivotal ends of the elements are rmly secured together, as above described, the cooperating edges 35a and 36a are brought into line contact, as seen in Figure 6. In such relation the cooperating edges 35b and 36D of the intermediate edge portions of the elements tend to separate and form a V-shaped slot. The free ends of the elements may then be connected together so as to dispose the cooperating intermediate edge portions 35b and 3bb into line contact, as seen in Figure 7 of the drawings, by means of a locking collar, as indicated at 45, which is tted over the free ends of the elements 35, 36, in abutting relation to the extreme end portion of the respective elements, as seen in the drawing. It is to be understood that the locking collar is of a size so as to make it necessary '1n order to be placed in locking position to yieldingly compress the free end portions of the elements and force the cooperating intermediate edge portions 35b and 36h into line Contact with each other. In such position of the parts, the cooperating edges 35c and 36c are disposed in spaced apart relation so as to insure, at all times, an additional range of movement 0f the extreme end portions of the elements toward each other for iirmly gripping therebetween the auxiliary extension arm 30 associated with the mirror.

'I'o insure retaining the locking collar i'n position on the arm elements 35, 35, one of said elements, at its free end, and, as herein shown, the element 35, is formed with an outward projection or embossment 55, which is adapted to register and seat in an opening 35a formed in the wall of the locking collar, as seen in Figure 7 of the drawings. It will 'therefore be 'apparent that when the extreme end portions of the elements 35 and 35 yare sufficiently Compressed together, the collar 45 may be slipped th'erecver so as to cause the projection 46 to be seated in looking engagement in the aperture 45a. Threaded in the diametrically opposite wall portion of the Vcollar is a set screw Q8, the end of which is adapted to engage the external surface of the end portion of the element 35 so 'that upon 'thread-ing of the set screw inwardly, the extreme Yend portieri of the element 35 is compressed toward the corresponding end portion of the element 36 so as to increase the frictional engagement ci' the inner surface of the 'elements 35 and 36 with respect to the auxiliary arm 30 associated with 'the mirror. l/Vhen the set screw has been adjusted to proper position it Ymay b'e permanently secured in such position by means of a lock nut 9.

To insure against lateral strains on the arm, which may Vhave a 'tendency to separate the elements 35 and 35 in the plane of their abutment connection, I have provided a bracket 5l of generally semi-cylindrical 'for-in, as seen in Figure 8 'of 4the drawings. This bracket is rigidly secured by means of a rivet 52 to the 'inner surface of 'one'o'ftheelementa and herein shownas the element 33, and the terminal ends of the bracket member project above the plane of the cooperating abutting edges of the elements, so thatV when the elements 35 and 36 are assembled together, as seen in Figure '7 of the drawings, the terminal ends of the member 5| tend to center the elements with respect to each other, and tend to oppose any lateral strains imparted to the arm in the general direction of the plane of the abutment connection of the elements. -v

It will be apparent that the arm I0 is of sturdy practical construction, and may be produced as a unitary element, so as to permit convenience in replacement in the eld, if necessary.

Although I have herein shown and described a certain preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, Wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise form-herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A support of the character described, comprising a bracket for securement to a mounting, and an arm having one end mounted on-said bracket for friction retaining pivotal movement, means connected to the other end of said arm for supporting a mirror or the like, said arm being formed of two sheet metal stamped elements of generally semi-tubular cross section, adapted to be disposed in cooperating relation to substantially form a hollow tubular body, means including a tubular sleeve extending through aligned apertures in said elements for securing said elements together at said first mentioned end of the arm and providing an aperture for said pivotal mounting of said arm between said lugs, and a spacing member intermediate the ends of said sleeve and engaging the inner surfaces of said elements, for spacing said elements apart, and means connected to said other end of said elements for securing them together.

2. A support of the character described, comprising a bracket for securement to a mounting, and an arm having one end mounted on; said bracket for friction retaining pivotal movement, means connected to the other end of said arm for supporting a mirror or the like, said arm being formed of two outwardly bowed sheet metal stamped elements of generally semi-tubular cross section, adapted to be disposed in cooperating relation to substantially form a hollow tubular body, said elements being rigidly connected together at said one end, the adjacent edges of said elements, at said other end thereof, being spaced apart on account of the bowing to provide yielding resistance to pressure of the end portions of said elements toward each other, anda locking collar mounted on the outer portions of said other end of said elements, to retain the free ends of said elements yieldingly constrained in an assembled relation, one of said elements and said collar having interengaging means for releasably locking the collar in such position on said elements.

3. A support of the character described, comprising a bracket for securement to a mounting, and an arm having one end mounted on said bracket for friction retaining pivotal movement, means connected to the other end of said arm for supporting a mirror or the like, said arm being formed of two sheet metal stamped elements of generally semi-tubular cross section, adapted to be disposed in cooperating relation to substantially form a hollow tubular body, means connected to said other end of said elements for securing them together, and means mounted in said arm, intermediate its ends, for aligning said elements and absorbing lateral strains tending to separate said elements in the direction of the plane of abutment of said elements, said means comprising a U -shaped member rigidly connected to the interior of one of said arm elements and having the legs thereof extending beyond the plane of jointure of the arm elements.

4. A support of the character described, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to a mounting, and an arm having one end mounted on said bracket for friction retaining pivotal movement, means connected to the other end of said arm for supporting a mirror or the like, said arm being formed of two sheet metal stamped lelements of generally semi-tubular cross section,

secured in abutting relation at said one end, and adapted to be disposed with their edges in cooperating relation to substantially form a hollow tubular body, the cooperating edges of one of said elements, adj acents'aid pivotend, being relatively at and disposed in a plane at a relatively slight acute angle to the remaining cooperating edge `portions of said one element, and means connected to said other end of said elements for drawing said other ends of said elements together in such cooperating relation with the cooperating edges of both elements adjacent said pivot end disposed in abutting relation.

OLIVER C. RITZ-WOLLER. 

